In February Yolanda Strachan joined Age Scotland as an Allied Health Professions (AHPs) National Consultant, a post she’ll share with Jenny Ackland. She explains what Allied Health Professions are, and why her role matters.
Jenny and I are Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). Jenny comes from a Podiatry background and I come from a background of Speech and Language Therapy. Most people encounter the AHPs through exposure to services as part of their NHS care, for example Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy.
The AHPs are increasingly placing emphasis on providing person-centred care with the growing realisation that health and well-being stretch way beyond physical needs.
The AHP family currently consists of;
- Art Therapists (Music, Drama and Art)
- Dietitians
- Occupational Therapists
- Orthoptists
- Orthotists
- Paramedics
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Prosthetists
- Radiographers (Diagnostic and Therapeutic)
- Speech and Language Therapists.
Ours is a national role, funded initially for two years by the Scottish Government through our Chief Health Professions Officer. This is the fourth such role to be established in Third Sector with AHP colleagues already in post at the Care Inspectorate, Alzheimer Scotland and the Alliance.
Having spent most of our working lives in the NHS, we are thoroughly excited to be bringing that knowledge and skill base directly through the door of Age Scotland, and to be carrying the messages and focus of Age Scotland to the AHPs.
Please follow our progress on Twitter using #AHPLoveLaterLife.
Yolanda (L) and Jenny (R)
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